If one was going to plan to ride the blueridge parkway from north to south.starting around Roanoke how far could one get and where would he stay ? then the second day ? Has anyone done this that could help me figure it out ? I think I could leave upstate NY ( not the city ) fingerlake area and ride to roanoke first day and stay there ? Thinking like a four day trip including one down and one back if that possible ?? Thanks for any help.. Sally

Sally, My wife and I are riding down that way in the middle of May to meet up with friends at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground and we are planning 1 day from Albany to stop in Strasburg VA and then the BRP for a portion of our trip to the BRMC the next day. We aren't going to try and ride the whole parkway as we have a group meet up to get to. Here is a link to the BRP info site with a trip planner etc. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ That should assist you with all your questions. From a crude Mapquest check you are about 6 hours from Strasburg VA just as we are. We got a good room rate at the Ramada Inn there and it looks to be about 5-6 miles from the motel to get on the BRP. Hope your trip is a good one. Tom

"When fascism comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis

Hi, my nane is Mike, i am from Va., took a trip last year , with my friend Larry and his daughter, Maria, we went to N.C. AND ETC. on the way back home got on the Blueridge Parkway, at Ashville, N.C. and rode to Vinton, Va. took about 8 hrs. , this was in Aug. , saw lots of turkeys, some deer, and a bear, a great ride, you will have a wonderful time, planning on Niagara Falls this year, looking forward to it, anyone been there. Mike.

Been there many, many times, but I kinda come at it from the opposite direction from you Mike. There is lots to see, and lots of different roads to ride in that area. The falls themselves are best seen from the Canadian side. There is an entire hiking system on the Canadian side, right down by the water.

yamaha96 wrote:Hi, my nane is Mike, i am from Va., took a trip last year , with my friend Larry and his daughter, Maria, we went to N.C. AND ETC. on the way back home got on the Blueridge Parkway, at Ashville, N.C. and rode to Vinton, Va. took about 8 hrs. , this was in Aug. , saw lots of turkeys, some deer, and a bear, a great ride, you will have a wonderful time, planning on Niagara Falls this year, looking forward to it, anyone been there. Mike.

Niagra Fall's is awesome, something I will never forget....I took the family there in 99 I think it was..Loved it, its amazing...Now you guy's went and got my juices flowing for a trip..I want to try this Blueridge Parkways sometime, it looks like a great ride...

Sally. The site previously noted is a great place to get info on the BRP. They have a free travel planner that you can order that has everything you always wanted to know about the Parkway with sectional maps that include mileposts, fuel stops, overlooks, lodging and things to do in the surrounding areas. I am planning a trip to Washington DC with 4 days on the BRP. We will be riding the Parkway on the 20th/24th of May. Won't be making planned stops while on the Parkway, just come what may. We may camp or motel it just depends. The speed limit is 45 mph max so with any sightseeing and side trips it could easily take 4 or 5 days to leisurely ride the entire length.

Tom

Tom

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Thanks to all for the information I will be checking out the web site.I do like Tom's ideal of just going I want to take my time do what I want. Was worried about a place to stay maybe I shouldn't and just wing it. ha ha..And as for NF I'm about three hours from it great place to go once maybe twice and yes the CAN. side is better then the USA side. (Ididn't say that). If your going to be around the fingerlakes area lots of great riding here. Sally

Sally, I live in NC (about 4 hours from the Southern end of the PW, 2 hours from the nearest entrance, near Fancy Gap) I have done the entire PW twice to include Skyline. The PW is 469 miles from end to end and Skyline is 105 miles. Both times I did the PW in 2 days. Didn't ride hard, stopped when I wanted. The first time I did it, I combined a trip across the Tail of the Dragon the first day. There were 2 camping places (w/ Hotels and Restaurants there. Don't remember the pricing on the Hotels but camping was $16 per night.) There are plenty of Hotels and such just off the PW near the bigger towns. Anyway, my first time after riding 5 hours to get to the Dragon and hanging out there for about 3 hours, I took off and headed for the PW. Got on the PW and rode to the first Campsite. Got there about dark, camped and headed out the second day about 9:00 (after breakfast at the restaurant) Stopped plenty of times during my ride north and arrived at the second campsite around 7:00. Camped that night and headed on out the next day about 8:00 or so. Hit Skyline mid morning, finished it and was back home( using Interstate) that evening. I suppose you could take 4 days to do the PW but, you will be stopping at just about every overlook. LOL Get the info the others have suggested, maybe plan some sightseeing away the PW. There are alot of things to do near the PW but, both times that I went, the PW was the attraction for me, so I just cruised along, enjoying the view and stopping to take pics whenever I wanted. If you find yourself at the southern end with some extra time, the Dragon, Cherahala Highway (sp), and other GREAT motorcycle roads are only an hour or so from you. Enjoy the ride and Welcome to North Carolina!!

'Soldier HARD'
Patriot Guard Riders, North Carolina/Virginia
"From the day I was born they have had my back..til the day I die I will have theirs."

OOPS, Sally I see you were talking about doing 2 days on the PW, 4 days total on your trip. I can see you getting into NC on your second day. Don't think you'll be able to do it all (have to leave time to retrace your route). Dingdong was the one talking about taking 4 days on the PW itself. Sorry for the confusion. I'll just shut up now and hope both of you have safe, exciting travels.

'Soldier HARD'
Patriot Guard Riders, North Carolina/Virginia
"From the day I was born they have had my back..til the day I die I will have theirs."

Sally, i like to ride BP in spring and early fall, i belong to CMA riders, and we meet for Run for the Son , 1 st. Sat. in May , every year, that is normally a good time had by all, post some more info on Niagara Falls , i am planning on going for a week trip, 2 nd. wk. in Aug. is this a good time of the the year to go., thanks, Mike.

I like early Spring so the flowers and stuff are starting to come out. Best, and worst, time to go is late Fall. It's the best because of trees changing and all those colors. Some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. It's the worst because of the traffic and everyone else looking at the colors instead of paying attention to where they are driving. Holiday periods (Easter, Memorial Day, etc) are usually pretty busy with traffic. Thankfully they don't allow commercial vehicles, buses, and such on the PW. Whenever you plan your trip, pay attention to the weather forecast. The PW is NO fun when the cloud layer is low. Got into it a little last year and it was so thick that I couldn't see the headlight of MC that was 2 back. There were 3 of us, I was leading and could see the light of the one right behind me, but not the 3rd one. We ended up dropping off the PW and getting something to eat until it warmed up enough to lift the fog. Mid week is always a good time to ride it. Weekends are usually pretty busy from late Spring till after the leaves change. Regardless, it is a great ride anytime. You won't be disappointed unless it's weather related.

'Soldier HARD'
Patriot Guard Riders, North Carolina/Virginia
"From the day I was born they have had my back..til the day I die I will have theirs."

August is a great time to go to NF they have all kinda of things to do.jet boat ride, madine of mist boat goes under falls, goat island it's been five years since I've been there.I believe marine land close. Sally

Yes, August is a really good time to be there. Be sure to bring your passport so you can stay on the Canadian side if you choose. Great views and lots easier to see the attractions. Maid of the Mist is available there as well as several other "Falls things to do". The American side does have the "Cave of the Winds" tour which is cool - and quite damp. hehe. All in all it is a great spot to visit! This was taken from our hotel room on the Canadian side during our last visit.

"When fascism comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis

thanks for the great picture, it looks really nice there, can't wait to see the water falls, i love all kinds of falls, i will ride the maiden mist for sure, everyone tells me the Canada side is the nicest, i want to see both sides if i have time, Mike.

Sally wrote:Plans starting to come together.Got ahold of a friend riding bud today and sat down and picked a date.May 16th were going to start in front royal and do skyline drive first. Come on spring... Sally

Nice! We're planning on being at the BRMC by then. Riding part of the BRP on our way down the 2 days before. Enjoy your trip. Tom.

"When fascism comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis

I just got back from my BRP trip I started in the Shenandoah National park North enterance and rode south. So 105 miles miles at 35 mph and stops took roughly 5 hours than on to park way I have to tell we almost got off parkway to ride eles where the first 15 miles were rough road was bad no veiws I pulled over and we made the decussion to ride another 15 than get off if it was no better. Well in about 10 mile we hit new black top started to get in the groove wings running good sun shining feeling good the ride was amazing than we hated to get off. But time was against us we needed to get back to Front Royal before dark. We got off at James River and took 130 west to Natural Bridge and picked up 81 south. Ten hours on park ways and two and half back. Great trip weather was 65 at night 82 day time temps. Stop at Humpback Rocks vistor center the women in there said they have been writing speeding tickets last three day to bikers.She said they didn't have anything better to do yet. Over all great. Planning next years trip at least four day starting at James River and heading south from there. Oh yaeh if your planning on going in May make hotel resv. All the college have grad. ceramonies this time of year can be busy as we found out. Sally